2 Promoters, 1 Pod

Booking headliners has become a real issue for festivals of all sizes but is tying up bands TWO years in advance the answer or a very dangerous gamble?

Gav and James respond to the latest drama to hit promoters and how it impacts their festivals. 

There’s also a cheesy fest line-up which James is a tad too comfortable putting together and why wasn’t Gav more upset that Bleeding Through didn’t play all of This Is Love, This Is Murderous?

Oh, and how about a power metal festival for the UK?

Let’s tackle it all in blunt 2 Promoters, 1 Pod fashion.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

It’s a new year but there’s no time for hugs and handshakes. Let’s get back to business.

Why don’t Gav and James throw bands who are having a tough time on tour a few extra quid? Is Spotify really the devil of the music industry? And how the hell did Karnivool end up on Brutal Assault if they were booked as a Euro exclusive for ATG?

After those pleasantries are exchanged there’s the small matter of tackling 2025; the live tour, Trees, ATG and Damnation’s 20th birthday bash.

James also gets excited about new albums this year promises while Gav sets a new high standard for On The Record. 

Enjoy, engage and let’s go again! 

We go again, every Thursday morning.

We made it! The milestone pod, Episode 52. But is this the end for 2 Promoters, 1 Pod or just the beginning?

Gav and James pop the bubbly, beers and ciders and get merry to mark the occasion.

Merry Christmas.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Exactly what it says on the tin. 

We go again, every Thursday morning.

It's back to the bottomless mailbag to tackle another batch of your probing questions.

How much of a band do we listen to before deciding to book them? When will Damnation day ticket be on sale? Will the live shows be recorded?

And what's the difference between headlining, co-headlining and are the costs the same or is it all just in the name? 

Gav and James get stuck in. 

We go again, every Thursday morning.

A staggering 72 UK festivals have cancelled, postponed or called time so far in 2024 - double the number from 2023, and more than 200 have gone since 2019.

Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) CEO, John Rostron, joins the pod to discuss the bleak landscape and what can be done to stop more events following suit.

But before the misery hammer drops, Gav and James celebrate the latest Damnation band announcement, discuss the collapse of Sick New World and kick around the idea of an Only Fans account to generate some tour funds.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

For the fan enjoying their favourite band at a headline tour date or festival there might be a different setlist but for the promoters, it’s a different journey nailing the booking.

The approach, the availability, the fee, the rider and conditions can all be a very different landscape depending on if you’re promoting a gig or festival. 

And what on earth is a “versus 80/20 deal”? 

James and a Covid-stricken Gav attempt to explain it all.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

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Meliora Software, Elevate your fans event experiences with festival and event apps by Meliora Software. - https://meliora.events
Synertec, smarter, more efficient, more reliable, and less costly ways to create, distribute and manage important communications - https://synertec.co.uk

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Gav and James dive bag into the mail bag to tackle this week’s most pressing issues including the Sleep Token backlash from Download fans and why our two promoters will never, ever work together… unless there’s a Butlins to hire.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Lou's Brews, use the code POD15 for 15% off your order - https://www.lousbrews.co.uk
Meliora Software, Elevate your fans event experiences with festival and event apps by Meliora Software. - https://meliora.events
Synertec, smarter, more efficient, more reliable, and less costly ways to create, distribute and manage important communications - https://synertec.co.uk

We go again, every Thursday morning.

The Download line-up is out and Gav and James avoid all spoilers to react to it in real time. 

The highs (Green Day), the lows (Steel Panther) and the billing stunners (Sikth) are all the topics of the night. 

But what’s that hardcore din in the background determined to gatecrash the UK’s biggest rock and metal party?

Oh, just Outbreak not giving a single f#@k over the same weekend. 

Let’s go! 

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Damnation ‘24 is in the bag and we’re still rattling in disbelief days later but there’s no time to feel sorry for our souls because there’s an event to pick over. 

Thankfully, Damnation’s Irish general, Paul Farrington, joins the pod to tackle the PTSD of two days' aural abuse in a Manchester industrial estate. 

From LLNN to Dragged Into Sunlight via Nails, we open up about it all… and why did Gav’s usually placid wife chase an “influencer” around the Russian Circles crowd?

There’s also the small matter of the debut 2 Promoters, 1 Tour to announce with tickets going on sale tomorrow. 

We go again, every Thursday morning.